Category Archives: Poetry

Manna

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. –Psalm 139:2 (MSG) I notice that when the details of my life are attended toI feel calmer.Then I think, But I shouldn’t need that to be calm.You know what I’m thinking,and … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Ercole de' Roberti, Esther Hizsa, Exodus 16:1-4, Gathering Manna, Isaiah 55:8, Manna, Psalm 139:2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thinking, Tiger500 | Leave a comment

Appearances

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The same day I resigned myself to watching, waitingand being with my longingYou saw me. I was accompanying my mom to her suite,and the first resident I met at the seniors’ home caught my eye.I saw in her face what … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, compassion, Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Carivaggio, Emmaus, Esther Hizsa, John 1:5, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

The End of a Story

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

On each of my dyings,shed your light and your love.–Soul of Christ Prayer, paraphrased by David L. Fleming I’m haunted by the ending of a story.The boy dies from his compulsion to save the earth.The father can’t save his son;he … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Creation, Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, John 12:24, Luke 9:23-24, Sing Over Me, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Porter's Gate | Leave a comment

Courage and Curiosity

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

For my courage is in You, O Love, You who are the Lover hidden in every heart. –Psalm 3:6 Paraphrase by Nan C. Merrill,Psalms for Praying People do things that annoy and disturb us,challenge and hurt us. Sometimes Wisdom says,“Keep your distance.Stay out … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Annoyed, Christopher, Esther Hizsa, Game of chicken, Michael Neel, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 31-7-8, Psalms for Praying, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Wounded Goodness

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Ignatius asks us to see how Jesus on the cross identifies with wounded creation and accepts the task of reparation, healing and transforming the damage we have been doing to ourselves and our planet. Ignatius would say Jesus loves us … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, faux_digit, Ignatius of Loyola, Julian of Norwich, Louis Savary, Mirabai Starr, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Rene, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The New Spiritual Excercises, The Showings of Julian of Norwich, Wounded Goodness | Leave a comment

This Road

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

I can tell youthat you will knowthe strange gracesthat come to our aidonly on a roadsuch as this–Jan Richardson, Beloved Is Where We Begin If You are telling me one thingas I begin my Lenten journey,it is that I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Alejandro Espinosa, Beloved Is Where We Begin, Camino, Esther Hizsa, Fresco Tours, Jan Richardson, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

There It Is Again

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It’s therewhen you spill your teajust when you thoughtThis time, I’ll be on time for my meeting,there again,when judgment announces your mistakeafter the fact,and there toowhen you lie awake at nighttrying and failingto find a wayto make things work. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Hoa Nguyen, Let's open the door, powerlessness, Psalm 3:3, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Superman, [RG] | 2 Comments

Naked Among the Tombs

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Believing you’re lovedis easy if you’re the demoniac in the story.Jesus meets you living naked among the tombs,a danger to yourself and others,and then restores you in mind, body and spirit,clothes you,and returns you to your loved ones.A story book … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 1 John 1:5, Christian.Rudman, Esther Hizsa, Garesene demoniac, Luke 8:26-39, Nick Thompson, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness | 2 Comments

A World Filled with Love

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

He showed me a little thing, the size of a hazelnut, in the palm of my hand, and it was as round as a ball. I looked at it with my mind’s eye and I thought, “What can this be?” … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Colin Hansen, Esther Hizsa, hazelnut, Julian of Norwich, Milky Waters, Rainer Maria Rilke, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Virginia Wieringa | 4 Comments

Always

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Before He said the words,before I was lowered through the roof,before I became sick and paralyzed,before my first transgression,before I was even born,I was loved.I was forgiven. Before I picked up my matand walked,I was whole.I was enough.I didn’t need … Continue reading →